Fundraiser for Boxing Day boat capsize victim to be held at new Sunshine Coast music venue

The Sunshine Coast community has rallied behind a grieving family after a Sunshine Coast man died in a boating tragedy off Moreton Bay on Boxing Day, with his daughter set to perform at a fundraiser at an all-new music venue.

A fundraiser to support a grieving Sunshine Coast family after the death of beloved father in a boating tragedy on Boxing Day will be held at a new nightclub.

A fundraiser to support a grieving Sunshine Coast family after the death of beloved father in a boating tragedy on Boxing Day will be held at a new music venue.

The Community Calls Hip Hop Fundraiser will be held at the all-new Presynct Venue and Bar on Ann St in Nambour to raise money for Meridan Plains man Robert Holden’s family, after he died in a boating tragedy in Moreton Bay on December 26, 2023.

Presynct Venue and Bar is the first music venue to open in the special entertainment precinct in Nambour, which was established in 2020.

Robert Holden (pictured) died alongside Steven “Taity” Tate and David “Mario” Logan when a storm hit a boat he was on in Moreton Bay.

Mr Holden’s daughter Maddison, also known by her stage name Maya Mercy, will perform at the event alongside various artists.

Event organiser and hip-hop artist Cooper Harlum said Ms Holden was heavily involved in the Brisbane and Sunshine Coast hip-hop community.

“She’s the first person to always be supporting the local scene and filming everyone’s shows and all that sort of stuff, so when we heard (the tragedy) had happened the whole community was hit by it,” he said.

Cooper Harlum. Photo: Supplied

“I had conversations with all the artists and it was pretty quick to get them all on board.”

Mr Holden was the family’s sole income earner and his death had not only left the family heartbroken, but in severe financial stress.

Mr Harlum said he was told an earlier GoFundMe fundraiser had almost reached its goal to cover funeral costs for Mr Holden, but the fundraiser event at Presynct would contribute towards easing the family’s financial burden.

“When something like this happens, we’re pretty good at standing up and helping each other. It was something I couldn’t necessarily ignore ... I knew we had to do something.”

Hip-hop artist Pottsy (pictured) will perform at Friday night's fundraiser. Other performers include MC Wheels and DJ Watersouth. Picture: Contributed

“I thought it was a must.”

Presynct Venue and Bar co-owner Rusty Nyman said it was the least she could do for Ms Holden, who has previously performed at the club.

“I remembered her, she stuck out to me, and it was just horrible to hear about what had happened,” Ms Nyman said.

“I was really heartbroken for her and the family and I thought we just had to help, so we shifted some events around to make it happen.”

Presynct Venue and Bar co-owners Cherry and Rusty Nyman.

She said the Sunshine Coast hip-hop community had rallied together to make the fundraiser happen.

“Nothing is going to bring them back but at least we can try and help them get through a few hurdles over the next few months,” she said.

The fundraiser is expected to be one of the largest events at the venue, which opened in October last year.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved. We hope that being the first venue to open in the special entertainment precinct will pave the way for other venues to come in,” Ms Nyman said.

The Presynct Venue and Bar is the first music venue to open in the special entertainment precinct at Nambour.

“Our space is unique, we have a good vibe and we try to have as many local artists as possible.

“The artists that we’ve been able to have so far have just been phenomenal. It’s actually blown my mind how much talent there is on the Sunshine Coast.”

Doors open for the event at 6pm on Friday, January 5. Tickets are $10, with all proceeds going towards the Holden family.

Donations can also be made at the Holden family’s GoFundMe fundraiser here.

Originally published as Fundraiser for Boxing Day boat capsize victim to be held at new Sunshine Coast music venue